Manchester United face competition from Inter Milan for Lucas Moura

Lucas Moura (left) has admirers in both England and Italy (Picture: AFP/Getty)

The 19-year-old play-maker is looking increasingly likely to be Europe-bound this summer, after telling the Brazilian media on Monday that he is now ready to contemplate a switch away from home town club Sao Paulo.A diminutive, agile and powerful midfielder, Lucas is rated as one of the biggest stars in South America, and has been watched by the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and AC Milan in the last few months, while Inter Milan are reported to have had a £10 million offer snubbed in January.However, Inter’s desire to land the Brazil star has not wavered, despite Manchester United now joining the race, but agreeing a fee with Sao Paulo, who are reported to want a figure upwards of £30 million, has been tricky.But as talk spreads that United have sent a delegation to Brazil to try and tie up a move, Inter have called in long-term shirt sponsors Pirelli, in a bid to try and raise extra cash to fund a transfer.Inter supremo Massimo Moratti has already met with Pirelli officials to try and convince them to stump up some more money, on top of the £10 million-a-season they already put in, to try and lure the exciting Lucas to Italy.Moratti is ready to commit £15 million to the transfer, and he hopes Pirelli will throw in another £10 million, to help fund a tempting £25 million offer.Lucas is currently midway through a long-term contract at Sao Paulo, which includes an £80 million buyout clause.